The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source: Fox News
Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:32 PM
Pigeon Forge Prepares For Parkway Resurfacing Project By DOT
With a business on the Parkway, Stephen Houser at Stages West said he knows just how bad the pavement needs to be resurfaced.
"I'm someone that really gets to notice it, and I think it's something that's been long overdue. We really need it done here to improve our guest experience in Pigeon Forge," Houser said.
He said he won't mind the noise and extra dust when TDOT starts the repairs in April.
While it is a busy month with spring break traffic, the city said officials have coordinated times to hopefully make the road construction easier for everyone.
"[We are] Thankful and gracious to TDOT for scheduling their working hours from 10 p.m. in the evening to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday," said City Manager Earlene M. Teaster. "TDOT always works great with us, and they have told us that if we have anything special they will pull off early in order to accommodate the traffic."
Teaster said state and federal governments will pick up the tab for the project, which will upgrade all six lanes on the Parkway. That's a total of 21 lane miles to be finished.
The project will hopefully make a smoother drive each day for Stephen Houser as he goes to work.
"We want the most pleasurable experience, and when your car is ramping up and down, it makes it feel like it's second class and there's nothing in Pigeon Forge that's second class, that's for sure," he said.
As of early February, officials have not released a definite cost estimate for the work.
The project was planned to take place from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance to Community Center Drive
